Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices about HIV/AIDS among the overseas job seekers in Bangladesh

A study of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KABP) relating to HIV/AIDS was conducted among people from Bangladesh seeking work overseas (N = 300), during February, 1997 and March, 1997. Only 26% of the respondents knew of AIDS and out of 13 basic facts concerning HIV/AIDS the mean score of the sample was 1.63 correct responses. Most of those who knew of HIV had some false beliefs about the mode of HIV transmission, for example, believing that HIV could be contracted by touching an AIDS patient, or sharing bathing facilities or eating utensils. Sex with brothel-based commercial sex workers (100%), sharing contaminated needles (93.6%) and blood transfusion from infected individuals (93.6%) were seen as the main route of HIV transmission. Printed media (69%) was the main source of AIDS information. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that having a non-agricultural occupation (P < 0.04), being resident in Dhaka, Chandpur, Noakhali, Comilla, and Chittagong (P < 0.01), being in the habit of reading newspapers (P < 0.05), using condoms (P < 0.04), having heard about condoms (P < 0.003), having seen condoms (P < 0.005) and knowing where to buy condoms (P < 0.0005) were significantly associated with AIDS awareness. There is insufficient AIDS awareness among overseas job seekers which calls for public initiatives to provide AIDS information to them before they leave Bangladesh to work abroad.     

Psychogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in women: patho-physiological investigation for psychogenic frequency-urgency syndrome and psychogenic urinary retention]

PURPOSE: Psychogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (PLUTD) is composed of two syndromes; psychogenic frequency-urgency syndrome (PFUS) and psychogenic urinary retention (PUR). We evaluated the patho-physiology of PFUS and PUR, and explored the different pathogenesis in these syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty five patients with PLUTD, consisting of 23 patients with PFUS and 22 patients with PUR were investigated by using the psychological tests: CMI (Cornell Medical Index) and TEG (Todai's Egogram), a quantitative perspiration test in 45 females (23 patients with PFUS and 22 patients with PUR), and simultaneous measurements of voiding cysto-urethrography and urodynamic studies using the Life-Tech 6 channel polygraph in 35 patients (17 patients with PFUS and 18 patients with PUR). RESULTS: The prevalence in ages revealed two peaks, 20 years and 50 to 60 years. Over 25% of them had pyuria more than 10/hpf of WBC. Peak flow rate measured by uroflowmetry showed normal range in PFUS group and decreased in PUR group. The functional vesical volume was less than 100 ml in most patients with PFUS. Residual urine in PUR group was significantly greater. Capacity of the PFUS group were able to hold over 400 ml of contrast instilled through the urethral catheter, despite increased desire to void. Over 15% of the study group with PFUS showed uninhibited systolic contraction of detrusor (> 15 cm H2O) during filling phase. The measurement value of urodynamic parameters demonstrated that a periodic follow-up survey of the upper urinary tract should be performed because of the low compliance bladder in the patients with PLUTD. During voiding phase, the women with PFUS had a tendency to be divided into two groups, hypercontractile or acontractile detrusor. The voiding cysto-urethrography (VCUG) showed a tendency of bladder neck opening on patients with PFUS during filling phase. Most of PLUTD cases demonstrated a round to triangle shape on vesical configuration, which led to a spastic condition of detrusor muscle. We attempted to measure the quantitative perspiration using 3 kinds of loading tests; respiratory, arithmetic and psychological load. In the psychological loading test, we asked 98 questions about their daily lives including occupation, living condition, family relationship and sexual activities. Arithmetic loading test consisted of counting in reverse, subtraction and multiplication. The quantitative perspiration rate resulted in a "positive" in many patients with PFUS. Respiration loading test was performed to measure the respiration volume during 3 large inhales. Most patients with PUR tested within the normal range for respiration except for those patients with decreased or no perspiration during the psychiatric loading test. These results may reflect the psychological elements including suppression and subconscious defense mechanism. Neurosis which was diagnosed as having type III to type IV of the Cornell Medical Index was demonstrated in less than under 40% of patients with PFUS and more than 55% patients with PUR. There was no significant trend or difference between PFUS and PUR detected from Todai's Egogram. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the reflection of many psychological responses, it is necessary to investigate from various examinations including psychological, autonomical and classical urological studies for accurate diagnosis of PLUTD.     

Effect of intracarotid bradykinin infusion on cerebral blood flow in dogs

We examined whether intracarotid infusion of bradykinin altered circulation in the normal canine brain. Twenty-four anesthetized dogs were divided into four groups receiving different doses of bradykinin (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 micrograms kg-1 min-1). Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured continuously using laser Doppler flowmetry through a burr hole in the frontal bone. Systemic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored simultaneously. Higher doses of bradykinin significantly but temporarily decreased rCBF and SBP immediately after the start of infusion; these parameters rapidly recovered and then were stable through the rest of the infusion. During this period, percent change in rCBF and SBP was small, and differences between groups were not significant. On the other hand, HR increased during infusion and remained high. SBP, rCBF, and HR returned to pre-infusion levels after bradykinin was stopped. The results suggest that intracarotid infusion of bradykinin for treatment of brain tumors would be safe in terms of circulation to the uninvolved brain.     

Gene expression of histamine H1 receptor in guinea pig primary sensory neurons: a relationship between H1 receptor mRNA-expressing neurons and peptidergic neurons

Pharmacological studies have suggested that a subgroup of primary sensory neurons is responsive to histamine via the histamine H1 receptor. We addressed this issue using in situ hybridization histochemistry with a cRNA probe for the guinea pig H1 receptor gene. About 15% of the trigeminal and lumber dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but none of nodose ganglion neurons, were intensely labeled with this probe. The H1 receptor mRNA-positive neurons were exclusively small in size, and were demonstrated to give rise to unmyelinated fibers by ultrastructural analysis of isolectin B4-labeling. However, the H1 receptor mRNA-expressing DRG neurons were not immunoreactive to substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). A marked increase in the number of mRNA-positive DRG neurons were observed 1-5 days after a crush injury of the sciatic nerve (3-4-fold of the control value). These neurons turned mRNA-positive after the nerve crush were also mainly small-sized. The mRNA signals were detected in many peptidergic (SP/CGRP) neurons, in contrast to the normal state. On the other hand, in the neurons which showed intense labeling in the normal condition, the mRNA signals were down-regulated. These results suggest that primary sensory neurons include two kinds of H1 receptor-expressing sensory neurons, one expressing H1 receptor mRNAs in the normal state and the other up-regulating the mRNAs following the peripheral nerve damage.     

Carbamazepine induced hyponatremia

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a drug which can induce the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Until 1980's, there were reports regarding CBZ-induced SIADH, but it is rarely reported these days. We here report two cases of CBZ-induced SIADH. Hyponatremia in these cases was rapidly improved by withdrawal of administration of CBZ. According to the previous reports, the rate of hyponatremia in patients receiving CBZ is not small. It ranges from 48% to 31%. As CBZ is frequently used for patients with epilepsy and neuralgia, not only their blood CBZ concentration but also their serum Na level should be monitored.     

Urinary lead as a possible surrogate of blood lead among workers occupationally exposed to lead

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether lead (Pb) in urine (Pb-U) can be a valid surrogate of lead in blood (Pb-B), the traditional biomarker of exposure to lead in occupational health. Methods: Blood and spot urine samples were collected from 258 workers of both sexes occupationally exposed to lead. The samples were analyzed for lead by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and the correlation between Pb-B and Pb-U was examined by linear regression analysis before and after logarithmic conversion. Results: The correlation coefficient (0.824; P < 0.01) was largest when the relationship between Pb-B and Pb-U was examined with 214 cases of one sex (i.e., men) after Pb-U was corrected for a specific gravity (1.016) of urine (Pb-Usg) and both Pb-B and Pb-Usg were converted to logarithms. The geometric means (GMs) of Pb-B and Pb-Usg for the 214 men were 489 μg/l and 81 μg/l, respectively. When Pb-Usg was assumed to be 100 μg/l in this set of correlations, the 95% confidence range of Pb-B for the group mean was narrow, i.e., 543–575 μg/l (with GM of 559 μg/l), whereas that for individual Pb-B values was as wide as 355–881 μg/l. Conclusions: The correlation of Pb-U with Pb-B among workers occupationally exposed to Pb was close enough to suggest that Pb-U may be a good alternative to Pb-B on a group basis, but not close enough to allow Pb-U to predict Pb-B on an individual basis. Received: 6 April 1999 / Accepted: 17 July 1999     

Oral administration of sepimostat mesilate prevents acute alcohol pancreatic injury in rats.

The preventive effect of a novel synthetic serine protease inhibitor, sepimostat mesilate (sepimostat), on acute alcohol pancreatic injury, induced by exocrine hyperstimulation and ethanol administration, was assessed and compared with that of a similar protease inhibitor, camostat mesilate (camostat). Conscious rats were infused with 1 microg mL(-1) h(-1) caerulein intravenously for 6 h and with 0.1 g mL(-1) h(-1) ethanol for 9 h, with the latter infusion beginning 3 h after the start of the caerulein infusion. Sepimostat or camostat was administered orally 1 h before the caerulein infusion. Rats infused with caerulein plus ethanol showed increased plasma amylase and lipase activities, and aggravated pancreatic interstitial oedema when compared with rats given caerulein alone. Sepimostat at 10 and 30 mg kg(-1) prevented the increase in plasma amylase and lipase activities caused by caerulein plus ethanol infusion. Sepimostat at 30 mg kg(-1) suppressed the histological change. Camostat did not show any preventive effects at the equivalent dose. When conscious rats were infused with 1 microg mL(-1) h(-1) caerulein alone intravenously for 6 h, plasma amylase and lipase activities were increased compared with rats given saline. Neither drug prevented the increase in these activities at 30mg kg(-1). Our results suggest that sepimostat has superior preventive effects on alcohol-induced acute pancreatic injury compared with camostat. Sepimostat may thus be a useful drug in the therapy of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.     

Molecular remodeling of complement regulatory proteins for xenotransplantation.

In pig-to-human discordant xenotransplantation, human complement is a major barrier against long survival of xenografts. Human complement regulatory proteins expressed on xenografts have been adapted as safeguards against host-induced hyperacute rejection of xenografts. For successful xenotransplantation, there have been many attempts to generate molecules with potent human complement regulatory activity but without activities related to harmful functions such as infection, immunosuppression and signal transduction devastating cellular homeostasis. Here, we summarize the strategy by which molecules for xenotransplantation should be designed and propose a GPI-anchored form of monomeric human C4bp as a candidate for efficient protection of swine xenografts from human complement attack.